Enhanced immune response in avian species

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of immune activation which is effective for eliciting a non-antigen-specific immune response in a member of the avian species. The method is particularly effective for protecting a member of the avian species from infectious disease and treating animals inflicted with infectious disease.

1 . A method for eliciting an immune response in at least one member of the avian species comprising administering to the member of the avian species an effective amount of an immunomodulator composition to elicit an immune response in the member of the avian species, wherein the immunomodulator composition comprises:
 a. a cationic liposome delivery vehicle; and   b. a nucleic acid molecule.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the liposome delivery vehicle comprises pairs of lipids selected from the group consisting of DTMA and cholesterol; DOTAP and cholesterol; DOTIM and cholesterol, and DDAB and cholesterol. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the nucleic acid molecule is an isolated bacterially-derived nucleic acid vector without a gene insert, or a fragment thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the member of the avian species is selected from the group consisting of chicken, turkey, goose, duck, pheasant, quail, pigeon and ostrich. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the administration is selected from the group consisting of subcutaneously, feather follicle, spray, orally, intraocularly, intratracheally, nasally, and in ovo. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the immunomodulator composition is co-administered with a biological agent or is administered after or before a biological agent. 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the biological agent is a vaccine for a disease selected from the group consisting of Marek's disease, New Castle disease, chick anemia, infectious bursal disease, infectious bronchitis, turkey herpesvirus, infectious laryngotracheitis, avian encephalomyelitis, fowlpox, fowl cholera, avian influenza, reovirus, avian leucosis, reticuloendotheliosis, avian adenovirus, hemorrhagic enteritis virus, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the administration is before a challenge. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the administration is after a challenge. 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the effective amount is from about 0.05 micrograms to about 10 micrograms. 
     
     
         24 . A method of reducing mortality caused by  Escherichia coli  in a member of the avian species comprising administering to the member of the avian species an effective amount of an immunomodulator composition, wherein the immunomodulator composition comprises:
 a. DOTIM and cholesterol; and,   b. a nucleic .acid molecule, wherein the nucleic acid molecule is an isolated bacterially derived nucleic acid vector without a gene insert, or a fragment thereof.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the member of the avian species is also administered a biological agent and wherein the biological agent is a vaccine for a disease selected from the group consisting of Marek's disease, New Castle disease, chick anemia, infectious bursal disease, infectious bronchitis, turkey herpesvirus, infectious laryngotracheitis, avian encephalomyelitis, fowlpox, fowl cholera, avian influenza, reovirus, avian leucosis, reticuloendotheliosis, avian adenovirus, hemorrhagic enteritis virus, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the effective amount is from about 0.05 micrograms to about 10 micrograms. 
     
     
         27 . A method of increasing hatchability of an egg challenged with  Escherichia coli  comprising administering to the egg an effective amount of an immunomodulator composition prior to hatching, wherein the immunomodulator composition comprises:
 a. DOTIM and cholesterol; and,   b. a nucleic acid molecule, wherein the nucleic acid molecule is an isolated bacterially derived nucleic acid vector without a gene insert, or a fragment thereof.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the member of the egg is also administered a biological agent and wherein the biological agent is a vaccine for a disease selected from the group consisting of Marek's disease, New Castle disease, chick anemia, infectious bursal disease, infectious bronchitis, turkey herpesvirus, infectious laryngotracheitis, avian encephalomyelitis, fowlpox, fowl cholera, avian influenza, reovirus, avian leucosis, reticuloendotheliosis, avian adenovirus, hemorrhagic enteritis virus, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the effective amount is from about 0.05 micrograms to about 10 micrograms. 
     
     
         30 . A method of improving the acquired immune response in a member of the avian species that is administered a vaccine, the method comprises administering to the member of the avian species an effective amount of an immunomodulator composition, wherein the immunomodulator composition comprises:
 a. DOTIM and cholesterol lipid combination; and,   b. nucleic acid molecule is an isolated bacterially-derived nucleic acid vector without a gene insert, or a fragment thereof.   
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the immunomodulator composition is co-administered with the vaccine or is administered after or before the vaccine. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the effective amount is from about 0.05 micrograms to about 10 micrograms. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the vaccine is a vaccine for a disease selected from the group consisting of Marek's disease, New Castle disease, chick anemia, infectious bursal disease, infectious bronchitis, turkey herpesvirus, infectious laryngotracheitis, avian encephalomyelitis, fowlpox, fowl cholera, avian influenza, reovirus, avian leucosis, reticuloendotheliosis, avian adenovirus, hemorrhagic enteritis virus, and combinations thereof.